Described herein are positron emission tomography (PET)-electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) systems and methods of use. In one example, a PET-EPRI system includes a PET-EPR insert, a PET scanner including one or more solid-state photodetectors, and a subject module that can house a subject for scanning. The PET-EPR insert includes an EPR resonator that can nest inside the PET scanner. The EPR resonator includes a resonator that can receive the subject module, a shield encircling the resonator and one or more rapid scan coils (RS-coils) positioned around the shield. The shield can prevent electrical coupling between the RS-coils and the resonator while being transparent to annihilation photons and magnetic field scans.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the PET scanner has a ring geometry with the inner diameter.
3. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the PET-EPR insert further comprises gradient coils surrounding an outer diameter of the PET scanner.
4. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, further comprising one or more magnets configured to provide a magnetic field to the EPR resonator.
5. The PET-EPRI system of claim 4, wherein the one or more magnets are permanent magnets or electromagnets, individually or in combination.
6. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to circulate cooling fluid through or within the EPR resonator, the PET scanner, or both.
7. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, further comprising a computer-controlled gantry configured to transport the PET-EPR insert into one or more magnets for scanning and house electronic leads to and from the EPR module and PET scanner.
8. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the subject module is configured to modulate temperature inside the module or of the subject.
9. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the subject module is configured to modulate anesthesia provided to the subject housed in the subject module.
10. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the subject module is configured to monitor physiological parameters of the subject housed in the subject module.
11. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the one or more solid-state photodetectors comprise one or more photomultipliers coupled to one or more radiation-sensitive scintillators.
12. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, further comprising a computing device.
13. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises plastic coated with copper foil strips.
14. The PET-EPRI system of claim 13, wherein the shield comprises foam to dampen vibrations.
15. The PET-EPRI system of claim 1, wherein the subject module comprises fiducial markers mounted in recessed areas on a surface of the subject module.
16. The PET-EPRI system of claim 15, wherein the fiducial markers comprise a pattern of fiducial markers filled with distilled water mixed with a contrast agent.
17. The PET-EPRI system of claim 7, wherein the computer-controlled gantry is constructed from non-magnetic materials that produce no EPR signals.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 11, 2019
March 21, 2023
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.